Espresso Tahini Granola
Here’s how I know if I need to buy a cookbook or if I can put it safely back on the shelf: I open to three random recipes and if those three recipes look really, really good — like ones I’ll actually be excited to make — it’s a keeper. And that’s how it was when I saw Rachel Simons’ Sesame on the shelves of my local book store. I fell in love with the cover design (so chic), I fell in love with the voice, and I fell in love with the granola.
Garam Masala Miso Chicken Thighs with Fennel
Back in 2004, when I first became interested in cooking but didn’t have the money to buy all of the cookbooks I wanted, I would take index cards to Borders (remember Borders?) and copy down recipes by hand that I could make later. I remember frantically scribbling The Barefoot Contessa’s Herbal Iced Tea recipe with Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger and Lemon Zinger from her first cookbook, eyeing the security guard across the way to see if he was on to me.
Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
My favorite recipes are the ones where the least amount of effort yields hugest returns. That’s why I love Hetty McKinnon’s work so much: she knows how to make the most out of just a few simple ingredients. And her latest cookbook, Linger, is packed with just the kind of recipes I want to make for myself, for others, for solo dinners over the sink, and for big dinner parties with lots of exciting platters of food.
